Key lock



Patented May 14, 1929.

STATES PATENT "OFFICE.

FRANK N. EoEHEIoH, OF JERSEY CITY, NEw JERSEY, AssIeNoR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, or FOUR-FIFTHS T0 WILLIAM H. LOUD AND ONE-FIFTH 'ro HENRY J. LAUDA, BOT-H 0E JERSEY err-Y, NEW JERSEY.

KEY LOCK.

Original application filed January 26, 1927, Serial No. 163,643. Divided and October 19, 1927.

This invention relates to key-operated locks, and more particularly locks of the general Yale type; the object of the inven- .tion being to provide simple and efficient means which permits the ready manual insertion and operation of the key, yet is effective automatically to eject the key from the keyway of the look when the key is manually released at the conclusion of the operation.

The invention comprises the combination with a lock, including a rotary actuating element having a keyway therein, of a spring pressed key ejector which is movable with-,

in and longitudinally of the keyway.

The invention also comprises novel features of construction and combinations of parts which will be hereinafter described; the scope of the invention being then defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a transverse vertical section of a lock embodying a form of my invention, showing the key as inserted and the ejector as pushed back fromthe'keyway preparatory to the turning of the key.

Fig. 2 is a similar view upon the completion of the locking operation, showing the ejector as shot into the keyway and indiall) eating a portion of the ejected key.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section adjacent the back of the lock casing, as on the line 3-3 901 Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 is a similar section through the guide extension of the rotary barrel of the lock, as on the line 4l 1 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a similar section of the lock through the casing and barrel, as on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

The type of lock herein illustrated embodies a fixed cylindrical body 10, and a rotatable barrel 11 therein formed with a keyway 12 arranged eccentrically of the barrel,

which body and barrel are provided with barrel 11 is formed this application filed Serial No. 227,071.

right or left to effect the actuation in relation to a suitable keeper, of a latching or looking element operatively connected with the barrel. According to my present invention, in its preferred form, the inner end of the with a hollow extension 15 having its bore in longitudinal alignment with the keyway of the barrel, and an ejector bar 16 of appropriate cross-section is shdably arranged in the bore and keyway. A suitable spring 17 confined in the bore presses against a head 18 on the inner end of the bar 16 and tends to maintain the bar normally within the keyway throughout substantially the entire length of the latter. Hence, coincidentally with the insertion of the key in the keyway and the consequent release of the lock barrel by the action of the key against the opposing plungers, the bar 16 is bodily pushed back into the extension against the torce of the spring 17, as seen in Fig. 1, thereby permitting the turning of the barrel by means of the key in the usual manner. This done, if the key be manually released, the spring, expanding, will press the bar lfi quickly forward in a manner to eject the key from the lock, thus obviating any liability of the careless leaving of the key in the look by the user. The lock barrel 11 is preferably provided at its inner end with a projecting pin 19 to which and to an adjacent part of the structure on which the lock is mounted, is attached a suitable retracting spring 20 which tends normally to return the barrel to key-receiving position.

In the present instance the lock body 10 is represented as mounted in the transmission housing 21 of an automobile for example, and the locking element comprises a lever 22 which is adapted by actuation of the barrel to be moved into and out of looking engagement with the apertured lug 23 of a gear shift lever 24.

The lever 22 has a hub 25 which is rotatably seated in a bearing formed in the adjacent wall of the housing concentric with the barrel 11, which hub encircles the extension 15 of the barrel. A can 26 on the outer end of the hub bears against the adjacent wall of the housing and maintains the locking lever in proper relation to the lock barrel. Extending through the wall of the hub 25 and into the path of the eccentric extension 15 is a pin 27 against which the extension abuts during its rotation with the lock barrel and thereby moves the pin 27 and the locking lever in a manner to disengage the latch arm from the keeper 23 of the gear shift lever.

The locking lever 22 may be held in unlocked position against the action of a suitably-disposed spring 28 by means of. a movable restraining arm 29 which is operable by connect-ions under the joint control of the seat and door of a car, as described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,675,- 465, dated July 3, 1928, of which this application is a division.

\Vhile I have herein shown and described my invention as applied to a key-actuated lock for use in connection with an essential control element of an automobile, it is to be understood that my invention may be employed in connection with a lock for any purpose. Moreover, my invention is not limited to the specific form of mechanism herein illustrated, as the same may be modified Within the principle of the invention and the scone of the appended claims.

I claim 1. The combination with a lock, includin" a. rotary actuating element having a keyway therein eccentricall" thereof, and a guide extension in alignment with the keyway, of a key ejector movable within and longitudinally of the extension and keyway, a spring pressing said ejector normally toward the, outer end of the keyway, a locking member adjacent the rotary element, means maintaining said locking member normally in locking position. and means on said locking member engagcable by the extension to move the locking member to releasing position.

2. The combination with a lock, including a rotary actuating element having a keyway therein eccentrically thereof, and a guide extension in alignment with the, keyway, of a key ejector movable within and longitudinally of the extension and keyway, a spring pressing said ejector normallv toward the outer end of the keyway, an oscil- FRANK N. ROEHRICI-I. 

